Ahn Cheol-soo: "Is It Time to Only Listen to US Explanation... We Must Investigate the Wiretapping Itself"

Criticism of Presidential Office Response... "Must Obtain Promise to Prevent Recurrence"

Regarding the suspicion that U.S. intelligence agencies wiretapped our diplomatic and security lines, the Presidential Office stated it was a "ridiculous lie," but Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, raised his voice, saying, "We should not only listen to the U.S. government's explanation but also clearly investigate and reveal the truth ourselves."

On the 11th, Ahn said through his social media (SNS), "Protecting national security and national interests is the government's top priority."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He pointed out, "The suspicion of U.S. wiretapping is a matter directly related to national security and the safety of our people," adding, "It is the responsibility of our government, not the U.S. government, to alleviate the concerns of our citizens."

He continued, "Our government should not only listen to the U.S. government's explanation but must clearly investigate on its own whether the U.S. actually conducted wiretapping and what level of information security is maintained at the Yongsan Presidential Office," criticizing the Presidential Office's response by saying, "It is important to clearly recognize that vague explanations such as the disclosed information being forged or that the Presidential Office's information security is certain have limitations in dispelling the public's concerns."

Ahn said, "To further strengthen the Korea-U.S. alliance, the suspicions must be thoroughly resolved," adding, "Many people may remember the incident during former U.S. President Obama's administration when Germany strongly protested the wiretapping of Chancellor Merkel's office, but that did not damage the alliance between the U.S. and Germany."

He stated, "It is difficult to deny the reality that intelligence activities can occur even among allied countries, but if wiretapping of the core of national intelligence did occur, it would be beyond an acceptable level," and added, "For the fundamental mutual trust of the Korea-U.S. alliance, our government needs to thoroughly investigate, firmly raise issues if problems are found, and obtain promises to prevent recurrence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.